For generations, women have expressed love of family through the painstaking art of embroidery. This February, gallery hanahou presents a new generation of embroidery artists using needle and thread to depict love in broader terms, whether idealized and simple or brutal and complicated. Curated by Kristen Rask, this group exhibit of affordable artwork will win your affection in more ways than one. A meaningful alternative to waxy chocolates.

Participating artists include Diem Chau, whose minimalist works explore the periphery of narrative and moments forgotten, Orly Cogan, who works with vintage fabrics and found embroideries to create a new feminist discourse, and Shannon Rankin, who combines the visual elements of maps, anatomical illustrations, and natural forms to explore themes of travel, healing, and time.

Curator Kristen Rask has always been a crafter. From friendship bracelets, sewing, and jewelry, Kristen has tried it all. Embroidery struck her fancy a few years ago and she now has a hard time not incorporating it into all of her work. She opened up a store in downtown Seattle in 2004 called Schmancy. There she started an annual plush show titled Plush You, which just finished its fourth run. She has also curated art shows in various galleries in Seattle, San Francisco and now NYC.

All of the artwork in Forget Me-Not will also be available for viewing and purchase online via galleryhanahou.com beginning February 11.